No Surprises Act of the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act

The No Surprises Act seeks to protect consumers from surprise medical bills arising out of certain out-of-network emergency care. Under Section 109 of the Act, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), in consultation with the FTC and the Attorney General, must conduct a study by January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter for each of the following 4 years, on the effects of the Act on any patterns of vertical or horizontal integration of health care facilities, providers, group health plans, or health insurance issuers; overall health care costs; and access to health care.